moved for leave to introduce Bill C-284, an act to amend the Canada Evidence Act.

Madam Speaker, the title of the bill hardly says what it is about, but it has to do with dates. Since we have moved into the years 2000, dates have become very confusing. For example, what does 4/2/3 mean as it pertains to a date? Is that 4 February, 2003? Is it April 2, 2003? Is it 2004, February 3? Is it 2004, 2 March? When there is a conflict or when there is a possibility of misinterpretation of dates in the Canada Evidence Act, the bill would provide that the default would be year, month, day. This is the international standard to which Canada has acceded.

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-285, an act to provide for the establishment of national standards for labour market training, apprenticeship and certification.

Madam Speaker, the bill I am introducing today seeks to address the serious skill shortages that exist around the country. It seeks to create national standards for training curriculums in all skilled trades and to create a national training advisory committee for each one of those trades to be peopled by labour and management representatives to aid in the standardization and the harmonization of training curriculum, entrance requirements and the ultimate certification of those skilled workers.

The bill also seeks to give the right to those national training committees to have some control over the spending of moneys in those skilled trade fields.

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-286, an act to prohibit the export of water by interbasin transfers.

Madam Speaker, as the name of the bill states we are seeking to ban the bulk sale and export of water and in fact the increased commercialization of water. We are also seeking to address the environmental impact of the interbasin transfer of water and the risk of invasive species et cetera in mixing those two water sources.

The bill deals with first, the commercialization of water which we do not believe, as an essential quality for human life, should be commercialized; and second, the recognition of the environmental impact of the interbasin transfer of water. The bill would bar both of those.

Madam Speaker, I have a petition that has been signed by literally thousands of residents of Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys regarding the buoy system.

The petitioners ask that the attention of Parliament be drawn to the attempt by the Canadian Coast Guard, department of fisheries Pacific region in the electoral district of Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys, to divest itself of navigational voyage systems. It is in direct conflict with the safety and well-being of the users of the water system and the river system. I am proud of the number of people who signed.

Madam Speaker, today I have two petitions signed by 388 people from Alberta. In the first petition the individuals believe that the creation and use of child pornography should be condemned and that a clear majority of Canadians would like to see the exploitation of children stopped.

Madam Speaker, I have a petition which was drawn from the decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court on March 26 that said that written material depicting sado-masochistic scenes of violence and sex directed at young boys was legal since it had artistic merit. The petitioners are asking that this be outlawed.

Madam Speaker, I have a petition that calls upon Parliament to request that the Government of Canada undertake a review of the foreign aid policy that provides the Bangladesh government with aid in view of the government's record of recurrent violation of human rights with respect to the persecution of Hindus and other minorities.

It also calls on the Government of Canada to consult with the Government of India to ensure that refugees belonging to Hinduism and other religious minorities in Bangladesh are given all possible assistance in India on humanitarian grounds, as outlined in the Geneva convention and in conformity with the practice of the Indian government in the past.

Madam Speaker, I have a number of other petitions as well which call upon Parliament to enact an immediate moratorium on the cosmetic use of chemical pesticides until such time as their use has been scientifically proven to be safe.

Madam Speaker, I want to present a petition signed by several hundred people from Newfoundland and Labrador. Many more such petitions will be coming. We also have a major petition on the web signed by over 3,000 people which calls upon Parliament to support the standing committee's recommendation and move expeditiously for Canada to take custodial management of the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap.

With regard to specific treaties with the crown and the following aboriginal bands or communities in the Maritimes; Abegweit, Lennox Island, Big Cove, Buctouche, Burnt Church, Eel Ground, Eel River, Fort Folly, Indian Island, Kingsclear, Madawaska, Red Bank, Oromocto, Pabineau, Saint Mary's, Tobique, Woodstock, Acadia, Afton, Annapolis Valley, Bear River, Chapel Island, Eskasoni, Glooscap, Membertou, Millbrook, Pictou Landing, Shubenacadie, Wagmatcook, Waycocomagh: ( a ) what is the specific treaty that covers each of these bands or communities; ( b ) when was each of these specific treaties signed; ( c ) where was each of these specific treaties signed; ( d ) which of these bands or communities are covered by the so-called Marshall or Halifax treaties; ( e ) which of these bands or communities are covered by treaties signed after the so-called Marshall or Halifax treaties; ( f ) which of these bands or communities are covered by the Miramichi Treaty of 1779; and (g) which of these bands or communities are not covered by treaties?